Lakefield Unveils Veterans Memorial Crosswalk Marking 100 Years of Remembrance

By Scott Arnold

A new downtown crosswalk in Lakefield is honouring generations of service members while marking a major milestone for the local Royal Canadian Legion.

A Veterans Memorial Crosswalk in downtown Lakefield was unveilled over the weekend (photo courtesy of peterborough county)

Peterborough County, Selwyn Township and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77 Lakefield have officially unveiled the Veterans Memorial Crosswalk in downtown Lakefield, creating a permanent tribute to local veterans and their service.

The unveiling took place on June 20, 2026, with veterans, community members and invited guests in attendance. The crosswalk also marks the 100th anniversary of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77 Lakefield.

The ceremony was emceed by Legion President Lorna McDonald and included remarks from Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis, MPP Dave Smith and Keith Knott of Curve Lake First Nation. The Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party and local veterans also took part in the event.

local veterans were on hand for the unveilling of the Veterans Memorial Crosswalk in downtown Lakefield (photo courtesy of peterborough county)

The project was completed through a partnership between the Lakefield Legion, Peterborough County and Selwyn Township. The County supported the road marking installation, while the Township assisted with the unveiling as part of the Legion’s centennial celebrations.

McDonald said the crosswalk had been a long-standing goal for the branch and was especially meaningful to complete during its 100th anniversary year. She said the tribute is intended to express gratitude to veterans who have served or are still serving.

During the ceremony, Second World War veterans from the Lakefield Legion were escorted as part of the formal proceedings, followed by other veterans and members of the Colour Party.

it was a special day in lakefield at the unveilling of the Veterans Memorial Crosswalk in downtown Lakefield (photo courtesy of peterborough county)

Officials say the crosswalk will serve as a year-round reminder of the service and sacrifice of veterans in the Lakefield area, while also highlighting the importance of local partnerships in supporting remembrance initiatives.

Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark said the crosswalk is a meaningful tribute that honours veterans while creating a lasting symbol for residents and visitors. Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis said it offers an opportunity to reflect on sacrifices made in defence of freedom and to ensure that legacy is carried forward.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.